The term ‘prabhavita’ is used in various contexts in Yogacara works. Following the Chinese translation, it is taken by S. Yamaguchi and G. Nagao to mean ‘made manifest’. However, L. Schmithausen has shown that the Chinese understanding of the term is not justified by Indian Yogacara texts. Accordingly, Schmithausen has delineated four distinct usages of prabhavita. On the other hand, S. Matsumoto later maintained the meaning of the term as ‘be produced from’. Investigation by other scholars has confirmed Schmithausen's analysis, with those occurrances studied falling within Schmithausen's fourfold delineation. However, the Madhyantavibhagatika uses the term in various contexts which may fail to conform to the senses outlined by Schmithausen. Accordingly, this paper attempts to determine which sense of prabhavita may be applicable in each of these contexts in the light of Schmithausen's fourfold delineation, as well as taking into account previous research. From this, it will be argued that some instances of the term may be identified as failing to conform to Schmithausen's typology. It is hoped also that this present paper may foreshadow further investigation into whether the Yogdcarin understanding of prabhavita accords with its usage in the Abhidharmakosabhasyam in the sense of ‘prominent’.
